Apollo Motorized Drop Shade: The Front-Bar Sun Screen That Completes Your Retractable Awning (2026 Guide)
What Is the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade?
The Apollo Motorized Drop Shade is a front-mounted retractable sun screen that lowers vertically from the front bar of your Apollo Shademaker Retractable Awning to block low-angle sun, glare, and prying eyes. A standard lateral-arm awning shades from directly overhead, but it does almost nothing when the Florida sun drops toward the horizon in late afternoon. The Apollo Motorized Drop Shade solves exactly that problem — it drops a screen down the open front of your awning at the push of a button, turning a simple patio cover into a fully enclosed, shaded outdoor room.
Sold and installed by 1800Awnings.com in Tampa, Florida, the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade is engineered to pair seamlessly with the Apollo Shademaker platform. It is available in 13 widths from 11 to 23 feet, priced from $1,927, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to dramatically extend the usefulness of a retractable awning across Tampa Bay and the broader Sun Belt.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Motorized front-bar drop shade / vertical sun screen |
| Designed For | Apollo Shademaker Retractable Awning (front bar integration) |
| Available Widths | 11 ft – 23 ft (13 sizes, 1-ft increments) |
| Operation | Motorized — push-button / remote control |
| Motor System | Somfy®-compatible motorization |
| Screen Function | Blocks low-angle sun, glare, UV, and adds privacy |
| Mounting | Integrated at the awning front bar; drops vertically |
| Frame Finishes | Coordinates with Apollo finishes: Alpine (White), Onyx (Black), Walnut (Dark Bronze), Sierra (Neutral Bronze) |
| Price Range | $1,927 – $2,860 (by width) |
| Sold By | 1800Awnings.com — Tampa, FL |
| Starting Price | $1,927 (11-ft width) |
Why the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade Stands Out
It Solves the One Problem Every Awning Owner Knows
Every retractable awning owner in Florida has felt it: it is 5 p.m., the awning is fully extended, and the sun is still baking the seating area because it is now coming in sideways under the front bar. A horizontal awning simply cannot stop low-angle western sun. The Apollo Motorized Drop Shade drops a vertical screen straight down from the front bar, closing off that gap and restoring usable shade during the hottest, brightest part of a Tampa afternoon.
Push-Button Motorized Convenience
The drop shade is fully motorized, so there are no cranks, cords, or ladders. A single remote press lowers or raises the screen in seconds. Because it is built for the Apollo platform, it is compatible with Somfy® motorization — the global standard in motorized shading — which means it can be operated on the same remote ecosystem and, where configured, integrated into smart-home and app control alongside the awning itself.
Privacy and Enclosure Without Losing the View
Depending on the screen fabric selected, the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade can filter light and reduce visibility from the outside while still letting you see out and keeping airflow moving. That turns an open patio into a semi-private outdoor room — ideal for dining, lounging, or a hot tub area where Tampa homeowners want seclusion from neighbors without building a permanent wall.
UV, Glare, and Heat Reduction
By intercepting direct sun before it reaches your furniture and flooring, the drop shade reduces fading, cuts glare on screens and tabletops, and lowers the felt temperature under the awning. It is a meaningful comfort and energy upgrade for west- and south-facing patios that take the brunt of Florida's afternoon heat.
Sized to Match Any Apollo
With 13 widths spanning 11 to 23 feet in one-foot increments, there is a drop shade to match every Apollo Shademaker awning — from a compact 11-foot patio to a full 23-foot outdoor living room. Because it is dimensioned to the awning it serves, the screen deploys cleanly across the full front opening with no awkward gaps.
Motorized Drop Shade vs. Standard Awning Alone
A retractable awning and a front drop shade solve different halves of the same problem. Understanding the difference helps you decide whether to add the drop shade to your Apollo:
| Consideration | Awning Only | Awning + Motorized Drop Shade |
|---|---|---|
| Overhead shade (midday sun) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Low-angle sun (morning / late afternoon) | Poor | Excellent |
| Glare control | Partial | Strong |
| Privacy from neighbors | None | Yes (fabric-dependent) |
| Wind / light rain buffer | Limited | Improved |
| Operation | Motorized | Motorized (separate control) |
| Best for | Overhead coverage | Full enclosure and all-day comfort |
For most Tampa Bay patios that face west or south, the drop shade is the upgrade that finally makes the space usable from morning coffee through sunset dinner.
Apollo Motorized Drop Shade Pricing (2026)
Pricing is set by screen width. Every size listed below is available from 1800Awnings.com:
| Width | Price |
|---|---|
| 11 ft | $1,927 |
| 12 ft | $2,049 |
| 13 ft | $2,081 |
| 14 ft | $2,173 |
| 15 ft | $2,233 |
| 16 ft | $2,289 |
| 17 ft | $2,351 |
| 18 ft | $2,437 |
| 19 ft | $2,520 |
| 20 ft | $2,606 |
| 21 ft | $2,689 |
| 22 ft | $2,774 |
| 23 ft | $2,860 |
Prices current as of 2026 and subject to change. Confirm the latest pricing and fabric options on the product page.
Who Is the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade Best For?
- Owners of an Apollo Shademaker awning who want to eliminate late-afternoon and low-angle sun.
- West- and south-facing patios in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and across Florida that get intense evening glare.
- Homeowners seeking privacy from close neighbors without building a permanent wall or fence.
- Outdoor dining and lounge areas where comfort from morning through sunset matters.
- Hot tub and spa areas that need seclusion and shade.
- Anyone wanting a low-cost, high-impact upgrade to a retractable awning they already own or are planning to buy.
How to Order Your Apollo Motorized Drop Shade
- Measure the width of your Apollo Shademaker awning's front bar to determine the drop shade size you need (11–23 ft).
- Visit the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade product page at 1800Awnings.com.
- Select your width and screen/finish options.
- Call the Tampa team at 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) if you need help matching the shade to your awning or choosing fabric.
- Place your order and schedule installation or receive it for your installer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade?
The Apollo Motorized Drop Shade is a motorized vertical sun screen that lowers from the front bar of an Apollo Shademaker retractable awning. It blocks low-angle sun, glare, and UV that a horizontal awning cannot, and adds privacy — turning an open patio into a shaded, semi-enclosed outdoor room.
How does a front-bar drop shade work?
The screen is housed at the awning's front bar. At the push of a button, a motor lowers the fabric straight down to close off the open front of the awning. When you want the view or airflow back, the motor rolls it back up into the front bar. It works with the awning already extended.
How much does the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade cost?
Pricing ranges from $1,927 for the 11-foot width up to $2,860 for the 23-foot width, set in one-foot increments. The exact price depends on the width you need to match your awning.
Can I add a drop shade to an awning I already own?
The Apollo Motorized Drop Shade is engineered specifically for the Apollo Shademaker awning platform. If you own an Apollo, it is designed to integrate directly. For other awning brands, contact the 1800Awnings.com team at 1-800-AWNINGS to confirm compatibility before ordering.
Is the drop shade motorized or manual?
It is fully motorized with push-button and remote operation, and is compatible with Somfy® motorization used across the Apollo platform. There are no cranks or cords, and where configured it can be tied into the same remote or smart-home control as the awning.
Does the drop shade provide privacy?
Yes. Depending on the screen fabric selected, it reduces visibility from outside while still allowing you to see out and keep airflow moving, giving you a private outdoor space without a permanent wall.
What size drop shade do I need?
Match the drop shade width to your Apollo awning's front-bar width. Sizes run from 11 to 23 feet in one-foot increments, so there is a shade dimensioned to fit every Apollo Shademaker awning.
Will it hold up in Florida weather?
The drop shade is built for the same Florida conditions as the Apollo awning — intense UV, heat, humidity, and coastal salt air. Screen fabrics are chosen for fade and UV resistance, and the motorized system is designed for reliable long-term outdoor operation.
The Bottom Line
The Apollo Motorized Drop Shade is the single most effective upgrade you can make to an Apollo Shademaker retractable awning. A horizontal awning handles the midday sun beautifully, but it leaves you exposed to the low, sideways glare that defines a Florida afternoon and evening. The drop shade closes that gap — literally — dropping a motorized screen down the open front to restore comfort, cut UV and glare, and add real privacy, all at the push of a button.
At $1,927 to $2,860 depending on width, it is a modest investment relative to the awning it completes, and it dramatically expands how many hours a day you can actually enjoy your outdoor space. For Tampa Bay homeowners with west- or south-facing patios, it is close to essential. To size and order yours, visit the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade product page or call the Tampa team.
Ready to Complete Your Apollo Awning?
Get the Apollo Motorized Drop Shade from the retractable awning specialists at 1800Awnings.com. Questions about sizing, fabric, or motorization? Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) and the Tampa team will help you match the perfect drop shade to your awning.
Written by Corey Courtright | 1800Awnings.com | Tampa, FL
Written by Corey Courtright
Second-Generation Awning Manufacturer & Industry Expert
Corey Courtright is a second-generation awning manufacturer and a recognized innovator in aluminum TIG-welded structures within the awning industry. With over 38 years of hands-on experience, he has worked across every facet of the business—from fabrication and sewing to welding, installation, sales, and service—giving him a rare, comprehensive understanding of the craft. Starting his career as a pipe threader, Corey went on to build and lead multiple successful awning companies. Now based in Florida since 2016, he brings deep technical expertise, proven leadership, and a legacy of innovation to every project and insight he shares.